Ahead of the NRL season, South Sydney and the Parramatta Eels are taking action.
In order for Josh Addo-Carr and Latrell Mitchell to serve their suspensions in the All-Stars game prior to the 2025 season, the NRL has been urged to deny their applications. According to reports, the Parramatta Eels and South Sydney Rabbitohs have both formally requested that the NRL consider the All-Stars match as a factor in Mitchell and Addo-Carr’s suspensions, which have been carried over into the next season.
When Mitchell sustained a foot injury during the State of Origin series, his wild 2024 season came to a stop. Despite trying to make a late recovery, the fullback did not play for the Rabbitohs again. A picture of Mitchell carrying what looked to be white powder on a trip to Dubbo for coaching clinics then surfaced, earning him a $20,000 fine and a one-game suspension.
At the close of the season, South Sydney made every effort to demonstrate Mitchell’s fitness, which might have resulted in him serving his ban in round 27. The 27-year-old would miss the first round of the 2018 season, though, after the NRL rejected the requests.
The Rabbitohs are expecting Mitchell will be available in round one, though, since they have asked Geoff Bellew, the chair of the judiciary, to let him count the Indigenous and Maori teams’ preseason All-Stars match as his one-game punishment.
And the Rabbitohs have been followed by the Eels. Addo-Carr is also suspended for round one of the new season having just joined the Parramatta Eels.
After leaving the Bulldogs, Addo-Carr will miss the opening round of the 2025 season while he completes the remaining four games of a ban that ultimately cost him his Canterbury job. Given that Mitchell and Addo-Carr have both proudly represented the Indigenous All-Stars squad for a period of years, many people may be surprised by the switch.
Mitchell has played every year since taking over as captain at the beginning of 2024. However, following poor campaigns for both sides, the clubs would like the winger and fullback to be ready as soon as possible. In light of such instances, the NRL may accept their applications prior to the international break.
During the international calendar, Wests Tigers captain Api Koroisau was able to complete two of his three-game suspension for Fiji. In the PM XIII match, Cameron Murray was able to complete his ban, making him instantly available for selection by Australian coach Mal Meninga. Additionally, during the Pacific Championship, Nelson Asofa-Solomona played three of his five games of suspension for New Zealand.
demands that the NRL close the suspension loophole in the All-Stars game.
The host of SEN Radio, Jimmy Smith, has shown his dissatisfaction at the possible conclusion, even though it seems probable that both Mitchell and Addo-Carr will serve their bans. Smith questioned whether Mitchell and Addo-Carr should be able to utilise the All-Stars game towards their punishment after it was confirmed that it would not be moved to a postseason match but would instead remain a preseason game.
“Fantastic let’s put it up front, but that means Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr can miss the game and serve part of their suspensions for that,” he stated a month ago. The feeling isn’t quite correct. Why wouldn’t you allow them to serve their club suspension and play the Indigenous game? You are referring to the two most prominent Indigenous players in the league, which is obviously not what the clubs desire.
Additionally, you’re attempting to dissuade them from attending the All Stars match. I would feel compelled to include them. “Okay, you can miss the All Stars clash, but it can’t be a match,” I would say. After that, observe them as they play.
Having participated in the competition in each of the six editions, Mitchell would undoubtedly be included in the Indigenous All-Stars. Earlier this year, Mitchell captained the Indigenous All-Stars in their victory over the New Zealand Maori.
